"I do not know why your brother continues to refuse the connection," Lady Tyrone sighed, taking Clara's hand and pressing it. "I did bring it to him very recently, in fact, and ---"
"You brought what to my brother?" Clara's heart began to quicken, fear beginning to build in her core. "You spoke of Lord Rutland?"
Her mother nodded. "Indeed, I did. I told your brother that I could see the longing in your eyes whenever you looked at the gentleman. I told him that he was wrong to keep you back from such happiness and that all he needed to do was set aside whatever it was that made him think such a match would not bring blessing." Her lips flattened. "It did not bring any happiness nor fulfilment of my desires. Your brother refused to permit me to even mention Lord Rutland any longer. No matter how much I begged him to explain the truth to me, he would not."
And then, shortly thereafter, he went to speak to Lord Atherstone.
A weight dropped into Clara's stomach. "I thank you for availing yourself on my behalf, Mother."
"I wish that I had found success."
Clara's lips curved into a sad smile. "As do I."
"Ah, there you are!"
A loud, brash voice interrupted their conversation and, her head turning, Clara's heart threw itself up in both fright and dislike as she took in Lord Atherstone's presence. Had he somehow heard her thoughts? Was this now why he was approaching?
"I am glad to see you, Lady Clara," he said, ignoring her mother completely. "Might I say just how beautiful you are?" He laughed before she could respond, reaching out to brush his fingers across her arm as if, somehow, he was permitted such an intimacy. "I am overjoyed to be in your company again, especially now that I know there is some... consideration on your part as regards me."
Clara's eyebrows shot upwards. "I beg your pardon?"
"You need not blush!" Lord Atherstone laughed, as Clara looked to her mother who was staring, wide eyed, at Lord Atherstone. "Your brother has come to inform me of it all! You have been hopeful of my particular interest ever since we were first introduced, is that not so?"
Shaking her head fervently, Clara glanced at her mother and then looked back to Lord Atherstone who was still grinning broadly. "I am afraid that my brother has made some mistake, Lord Atherstone."
"Oh, that cannot be true," Lord Atherstone responded, at once. "I know your brother very well and he does not speak lies." Leaning towards her, his smile still fixed, a gleam came into his eye. "I understand that every young lady might say such thingsin the company of the gentleman they desire but you need not pretend now, Lady Clara."
Clara stiffened, her skin prickling from where his fingers had brushed her arm. She was about to speak firmly, about to say decisively that she had no interest in his company and certainly did not want to even think about courtship, given that was what he was implying, but before she could say a word, her brother strode towards them.
"Atherstone!" he exclaimed, his eyes dark with obvious irritation. "Whatever are you doing?"
Lord Atherstone laughed again, the sound grating on Clara. "Why, I am just speaking with your sister!"
"About what, might I ask?"
Lord Atherstone snorted and shook his head. "You need not pretend, Lord Tyrone, just as your sister does not need to pretend. Now that you have come to me, I have every hope that this interest she has in my company will lead to a stronger connection between us."
Clara folded her arms over her chest and glared at her brother who refused now to look into her eyes. "Tyrone?"
"I do not think that speaking here is either the correct place for such a conversation or the right time for it either," Lord Tyrone stated, still not looking at Clara. "You may be delighted at all I have shared with you, Atherstone, but I did ask you not to speak to my sister until I directed you to."
Anger began to bubble in Clara's chest, her face growing hot. So then, it seemed as if her brother had decided who she was going to court --- and all without a word to her! "As I was just explaining to Lord Atherstone, I have never said a good word about him to you, brother," she stated clearly, her emphasis making Lord Tyrone wince. "It seems very strange to me that you would have such a conversation with Lord Atherstone when I have given you no impression at all of that."
Someone touched her shoulder and Clara was about to brush it off, only to turn her head and see her mother tilting her head in a very strange fashion indeed. Clara took a moment to collect herself and, looking the way her mother had directed, settled her gaze upon Lord Rutland.
He was frowning, hard.
Relief poured into her and she let out an audible breath. With confidence filling her, she turned her attention back towards Lord Atherstone and her brother, quite certain that she would bring an end to this once and for all.
"This is very confusing indeed!" Lord Atherstone exclaimed, looking from Clara to Lord Tyrone and back again. "You assured me, Lord Tyrone, that Lady Clara thought very highly of me. You told me that a thought of courtship had been in her mind and you came to me, wondering what my position on such a thing might be. Now I hear that you were mistaken?"
More than mistaken. He has been lying to you. Despite the desire to say such a thing, Clara kept her mouth closed but her gaze fixed to her brother. Lord Tyrone pushed one hand through his hair, let out a slow hiss of breath and then returned his attention to Clara.
"As I have said, this is not the time nor the place for such a discussion --- but yes, Clara. I did speak to Lord Atherstone about you. I think that this is an excellent match and one that you will consider."
A slight worry flicked across Clara's forehead. He had not said that he thought she should consider him, only that she would consider. Was Tyrone refusing to give her any choice in the matter, then?
"I have considered it," she said, clearly, speaking with confidence and determination. "I considered it from the very first moment of our meeting, Lord Atherstone, and I am afraid to say that I have already determined that we would not besuitable. I must apologise on my brother's behalf, given that he has clearly determined that we would suit without any consideration or discussion with me."
